Chess Not Checkers

Jordan Tampien & Keith Riddle
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Chess Not Checkers, the podcast that teaches you how to play the long game in both business and life. Hosted by Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien, we dive deep into strategic thinking, exploring how the best minds think several steps ahead. Each episode features guests from a variety of fields — real estate, business, health, wealth, and more — who share their stories and the unique mindset that’s propelled their success. Whether you’re building, growing, or establishing your business, this show offers valuable insights to help you think smarter and act with purpose.

  1. Jul 14

    Alan Nolan on Public Service, School Boards, and Running for Office

    What leads someone with a military and business background to step into local politics? In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Alan Nolan, a Mead School Board member, retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, and candidate for Washington's 6th Legislative District, to trace his path from the Air Force Academy to Spokane and into public service. Alan shares how a career spanning the military, small business, and education shaped his approach to leadership, why he believes boards and government benefit from members who come from outside the institutions they oversee, and what finally moved him to get off the sidelines and run. The conversation digs into issues that hit close to home for Spokane, including the debate over Spokane Transit Authority's expansion and the North Division line, the role of fiscal responsibility in public budgets, and the connection Alan sees between tax policy, affordability, and challenges like homelessness and addiction. Whether you're a business owner, a civic-minded leader, or someone who has ever wondered whether getting involved is worth it, this episode offers a candid look at what it means to serve, to lead, and to think a few moves ahead. Learn more about Alan and his campaign at nolan4wa.com. Show Flow 00:00  Welcome to Chess Not Checkers 02:31  From the Air Force to Spokane and Starting 509 Design 07:35  Washington's Districts and Why Alan Ran 12:49  Winning a Seat on the Mead School Board 15:20  Education, Outside Perspectives, and Literacy 28:32  The STA Ballot Measure and Fiscal Responsibility 39:00  Markets, Density, and How Cities Plan 47:00  Accountability, Incentives, and Private-Sector Solutions 62:47  Oversight, Olympia, and the Cost of Living in Washington

  2. Jul 7

    Matt Brunner Puts Keith & Jordan in the Hot Seat

    What happens when one of your listeners takes over the podcast? In this special episode of Chess Not Checkers, loyal listener and real estate professional Matt Brunner steps behind the microphone to interview Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien. Instead of bringing on a guest, the hosts become the guests, answering thoughtful questions about business, leadership, real estate, and the lessons they’ve learned throughout their careers. The conversation dives into the pressure of chasing “more,” the importance of finding your own definition of success, the value of coaching and mentorship, and why building a meaningful life requires more than simply growing a bigger business. Keith and Jordan also reflect on the mistakes they’ve made, the mindset shifts that changed their careers, and what they wish they had known when they were just getting started. If you’ve ever wondered what drives Keith and Jordan or wanted to hear them answer the kinds of questions they usually ask their guests, this episode offers an honest look behind the curtain. It’s a conversation about ambition, purpose, fulfillment, and learning to play the long game—in business and in life.  Learn more about Matt’s background, his approach to real estate investing, and the mission behind Matt Brunner Homes. mattbrunnerhomes.com/about

  3. Jun 30

    Corey Jeppesen – How a Mad Men Dream Built Bahlr Media

    Before Corey Jeppesen founded Bahlr Media, he received a piece of advice from Spokane advertising legend Ed Clark that would shape the way he viewed advertising, creativity, and brand building for years to come. In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Corey to discuss his journey from graphic designer to agency owner, the principles that have guided his career, and why great advertising has always been rooted in understanding people and telling stories that matter. The conversation explores the evolution of marketing, the difference between branding and advertising, building a creative business, and what it takes to create work that stands the test of time. Corey also shares the lessons he’s learned from growing Bahlr Media, the importance of surrounding yourself with great mentors, and why strategy will always outlast trends. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, creative, or business owner, this episode offers practical insights on building a brand with purpose, earning people’s attention, and creating meaningful connections through storytelling. Follow Corey on Instagram: @seejepp Learn More About Bahlr Media: https://bahlr.com/

  4. Jun 23

    Listener Q&A: Real Estate Investing, Scaling Businesses, and Spokane’s Future

    In this special listener Q&A episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien tackle questions from listeners on real estate investing, business growth, Spokane’s future, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. The conversation covers what they look for when evaluating a real estate deal, the biggest mistakes investors make, how to think about long-term wealth building, and why waiting for the “perfect” opportunity can keep people stuck on the sidelines. Keith and Jordan also share stories from their own projects, including lessons learned from the Peyton Building, the 808 Building, and other investments that shaped their approach to real estate. Whether you’re a business owner, investor, entrepreneur, or someone thinking about your first real estate deal, this episode is packed with practical insights, hard-earned lessons, and the strategic thinking that defines Chess Not Checkers.

  5. Jun 16

    Lacey Renner – The Mission of Vanessa Behan and Why Early Childhood Matters

    In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien sit down with Lacey Renner, Director of Development at Vanessa Behan, to discuss the organization’s mission of preventing child abuse and supporting families in crisis. Lacey shares her personal journey from banking to nonprofit leadership, the story behind Vanessa Behan, and how a tragedy in Spokane led to the creation of a resource that has helped thousands of families over the last four decades. The conversation explores the realities of childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), resilience, and why the first few years of a child’s life have such a profound impact on long-term outcomes. Keith, Jordan, and Lacey also discuss parenting, community support, generational cycles, and the importance of creating environments where children can thrive. It’s a powerful conversation about hope, prevention, and the role each of us can play in building stronger families and a healthier community. Whether you’re a parent, business leader, educator, or simply someone who cares about the future of Spokane, this episode offers valuable insights into the challenges families face and the incredible work being done every day at Vanessa Behan. Contact Lacey: lacey.renner@vanessabehan.org or 509.598.7490 Contact Lacey – Reach out directly to learn more about Vanessa Behan and community involvement. lacey.renner@vanessabehan.org | 509.598.7490 History of Vanessa Behan – Learn the story behind the organization and its impact on Spokane families. https://youtu.be/6Ky3SuWoUGE?si=aIqH24n__boIw0-H Learn More – Explore programs, services, and the latest news from Vanessa Behan. https://www.vanessabehan.org/news/ Give – Support Vanessa Behan’s mission through a financial contribution. https://vanessabehan.givecloud.co/give Volunteer – Find opportunities to get involved and support local families. https://www.vanessabehan.org/volunteer/ Rosauers Open Golf Tournament – Learn about Vanessa Behan’s premier fundraising golf event. https://www.rosauersopen.org/ The Pumpkin Ball – Information on Vanessa Behan’s signature annual fundraising gala. https://www.vanessabehan.org/the-pumpkin-ball/

  6. Jun 9

    Are We Making It Harder to Build Wealth? with Jordan and Keith 

    In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien tackle some of the biggest economic and policy issues facing business owners today. From housing affordability and homelessness to rising taxes, government spending, real estate investing, and the future of small business, Keith and Jordan break down the challenges they see impacting entrepreneurs, investors, and everyday Americans. They discuss the changing economics of rental housing, the risks facing landlords and developers, and why many investors are rethinking long-held assumptions about real estate. Whether you're a business owner, investor, real estate professional, or simply someone trying to make sense of today's economic landscape, this episode offers a thoughtful discussion on the decisions, trends, and policies shaping the future.

  7. May 26

    From Real Estate to Performance Coaching: The Story Behind MS4 with Keith Riddle

    In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, with Jordan Tampien out, producer Brennon Poynor jumps behind the mic to interview Keith Riddle about his other company, MS4 — a performance coaching framework built around mindset, skill set, systems, and standards.   Keith breaks down how years in real estate, business ownership, philosophy, and coaching all came together to create MS4, and why he believes success leaves clues across every industry. The conversation dives into leadership, hiring, systems, entrepreneurship, athlete coaching, personal development, and the biggest thing holding most people back: mindset.   Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, athlete, business owner, or someone trying to level up personally or professionally, this episode offers a deep look into how Keith approaches growth and performance through the MS4 framework. To learn more about MS4, visit; www.keith-riddle.com/MS4coaching

  8. May 19

    The Middle of the Marathon: Jordan and Keith on Business, Failure & Learning to Take the Hit

    In this episode of Chess Not Checkers, Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien dive into one of the biggest questions in today’s world: how do you know what’s actually true anymore? What starts as a conversation about conspiracy theories, Spokane history, and the Great Fire quickly becomes a deeper discussion about resilience, entrepreneurship, parenting, public perception, and the emotional reality of building businesses and real estate portfolios.   Keith and Jordan open up about the parts of business and life people rarely talk about — trashed rentals, failed deals, public criticism, hiring mistakes, financial pressure, and the hard lessons that only come through experience. This episode is less about having all the answers and more about navigating uncertainty, staying honest with yourself, and learning how to keep moving forward when life gets messy. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by business, leadership, parenting, or just trying to figure life out in a noisy world, this conversation will probably hit home.

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Trailer

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to Chess Not Checkers, the podcast that teaches you how to play the long game in both business and life. Hosted by Keith Riddle and Jordan Tampien, we dive deep into strategic thinking, exploring how the best minds think several steps ahead. Each episode features guests from a variety of fields — real estate, business, health, wealth, and more — who share their stories and the unique mindset that’s propelled their success. Whether you’re building, growing, or establishing your business, this show offers valuable insights to help you think smarter and act with purpose.

Information

  • Creator
    Jordan Tampien & Keith Riddle
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jordan Tampien & Keith Riddle
  • Show Website
    Chess Not Checkers

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